Police believe Buttonwood car breaks related to Hetland breaks

NEW BEDFORD — Breaks into three vehicles around Buttonwood Park appear to be connected to car breaks around the Hetland Skating Rink, police said.

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By CURT BROWN

southcoasttoday.com

By CURT BROWN

Posted Jan. 16, 2013 at 12:01 AM

By CURT BROWN
Posted Jan. 16, 2013 at 12:01 AM

» Social News

NEW BEDFORD — Breaks into three vehicles around Buttonwood Park appear to be connected to car breaks around the Hetland Skating Rink, police said.

Detective Capt. Steven Vicente, head of the Major Crimes Unit, said there were two breaks at the dirt parking area on Brownell Avenue near Sheldon Street on Jan. 8 and a third in the parking lot near the zoo on Saturday.

The breaks occurred between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m., according to Vicente.

He said pocketbooks, cash, cellphones, keys, a GPS, gift cards, credit cards and a checkbook were stolen.

In all of the breaks, the vehicles were locked and the thief gained entry by breaking windows.

Vicente said it appears the people breaking into vehicles around the skating rink are also responsible for the breaks at Buttonwood Park. A pocketbook stolen in one of the breaks at the park was recovered under a vehicle at the hockey rink.

Five vehicles have been broken into around Hetland the last three weekends, police said. The culprits also smashed windows to gain entry and stole items left in the vehicles, according to police.

"They are somehow connected because of the method used," Vicente said. "Every once in awhile we see a rash of these things and it's more likely being committed by the same person."

Most of the people interviewed Tuesday either walking the loop around the park or enjoying their lunches didn't know about the breaks.

John Dias of Dartmouth said he would like to see police officers on bicycles patrolling the park. "The appearance of a uniform scares a lot of people off," said his friend, Dan Conceicao, of Acushnet.

Denise Furtado of Dartmouth said she is always careful when she goes walking and doesn't take any personal items with her. "I'll be a little more cautious now," she said.

Ann Martin of New Bedford said she walks in the spring when it's warmer and she enjoys the chance to get some exercise because she feels safe.

"It's very upsetting," she said of the breaks. "It's a nice place to walk."

Capt. Joseph Cordeiro, commander of the downtown police station, has stepped up patrols around the park in response to the breaks, according to Vicente.

Vicente is advising people who walk the loop around the West End park for exercise to lock their car doors, remove valuables from sight and call police if they notice anyone acting suspiciously.

"Be vigilant for anyone standing around and acting suspiciously and call police or 911," he said.